Articulated vehicle with trench filler and tamper

ABSTRACT

An articulated tractor-type vehicle having a supporting frame including a pivotable boom to which a steerable wheel is mounted. The supporting frame carries an adjustably positionable tamping unit and an adjustably positionable trench filling unit such as a drag conveyor to provide simultaneous filling and tamping of a trench. A novel reciprocating tamping unit having increased effectiveness and reduced shock transmission is described.

United States Patent Harris 1 Sept. 30, 1975 1 1 ARTICULATED VEHICLEWITH TRENCH 3.443.836 5/1969 Poltartser et a1 37/142.5 ux FILLER ANDTAMPER 3503 451 3/1970 15215111112111 172/225 X 3,704,754 12/1972 Layton172/782 [76] Inventor: Marvin K. Harris, Shelduhl, Iowa 3 7 7 135 1 1974Layton 404 133 x 50243 3.807.067 4/1974 Cloud 117/1425 [22] Filed: June14, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] APPL 369.891 703.7822/1965 Canada 404 133 1371351 7/1964 France 37/l42.5

[52] [1.5. CI. 37/142.5; 37/109; 172/100; Primary Exzm1inerC1iff0rd D.Crowder /224; 404/1 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hendcrson & Strom [51 1111.C1.'- EOZF 5/22; 1501c 19/34 [58] Field of Search 37/1425, 109, 94, 85;[57] ABSTRACT 172/224227* 100;104/133 An articulated tractor-typevehicle having a supporting frame including a pivotable boom to which asteer- [56] References Clted able wheel is mounted. The supporting framecarries UN TED TA PATENTS an adjustably positionable tamping unit and anadjust 1070,3226 8/1913 Coutant et a1 404/133 ably positionable trenchfilling unit such as a drag con- 1,225.327 5/1917 Hartsough..... 37/85'Xveyor to provide simultaneous filling and tamping of a 1.739888 12/1929Clark v 4 37/94 trench. A novel reciprocating tamping unit having in-1947356 2934 Penotem 37/142-5 X creased effectiveness and reduced shocktransmission 2,402,976 7/1946 Olson 37/109 is described 2,676,524 4/1954Bushor 1. 172/224 X 3.376.799 4/1968 Perry et a1. 404/133 8 Claims, 22Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet1of6 3,908,292

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet2of6 3,908,292

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 5 of6 3,908,292

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 6 of6 3,908,292

Chap/n ARTICULATED VEHICLE WITH TRENCH FILLER AND TAMPER BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates toequipment for refilling and packing a trench or ditch, and moreparticularly to equipment comprising a movable supporting frame carryinga reciprocating tamping device and a drag conveyor, and to improvedtampingdevices and drag conveyors.

In many types of construction work, and particularly in layingpipelines, cables, orthe like, a long trench or ditch is required, andthe trench must be refilled and packed after the desired material hasbeen placed therein. The refilling and packing of such a trench hasheretofore generally been done using one machine for filling a differentmachine for packing, or manually, or by a combination of manual andmachine-operations.

Frequently, the trench to be refilled and packed is along uneven ordifficulty accessible terrain, such that a filler and packer to be mostuseful should be capable of working on uneven terrain, and from eitherside of the trench.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous patents have been issued formachinecarried reciprocating tamping devices for use in packing arefilled trench or the like. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,844,066; 3,128,682;3,327,598; 3,376,799; 3,478,656 and 3,497,017 are exemplary of suchdevices. The machines described therein are to varying degrees useful incompacting a refilled trench, but they do not provide for refilling thetrench, such that a separate filling device, or a manual operation, isrequired. These prior art tamping devices usually transmit anundesirable amount of shock back to the carrying vehicle and itsoperator.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,902,908 describes the combination of a scraper blade anda tamping unit mounted on a movable supporting frame. However, thecombination described in the above patent is intended primarily for usein road building, and is neither intended nor suited for refilling andpacking a trench.

Articulated vehicles for supporting ground-work implements are describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,788,858; 3,040,510 and 3,704,754. 3,704,754describes a tractor having steerable fron wheels attached to a boomterrain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a device isprovided which can fill and pack a trench simultaneously, and canperform both operations from a variety ofposi- 'tions. The device ofthis invention comprises the combination of an articulated vehicleproviding a supporting frame for both a tamping unit and a filling unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel tamping unitis provided.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a novel fillerunit comprising a drag conveyor which can be pivoted to either side of asupporting axis is provided.

The articulated vehicle comprising a part of this invention includes asupporting frame from which the tamping unit and filling unit aremounted for adjustable positioning relative thereto. A boom pivotablerelative to the main vehicle frame supports a steerable wheel, and alsosupports the filling unit. The relative positions of the main vehicleframe, the pivotable boom, the tamping unit and the filling unit areadjustably controlled.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a noveldevice capable of simultaneously filling and packing a trench.

It is another object to provide a novel tamping unit.

It is another object to provide a novel filling unit comprising a dragconveyor adjustably mounted to a supporting frame.

It is another object to provide a novel combination of an articulatedvehicle, a tamping unit, a filling unit, and a supporting frameadjustably mounting the tamping unit and the filling unit on thevehicle.

That the above as well as additional objects and advantages are providedby the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating a trench filler and tamper in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the trench filler portion taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the trench filler taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 showing thedrag conveyor in its clockwise position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 5 but showing the dragconveyor pivoted to its counterclockwise positron.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the tamper and its support, takenalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates part of the tammper support and its associatedmechanism for applying side tilting to the tamper, taken along the line-99 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 illustrates the utility of the side tilting adjustment of thetamper.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 11-11 of FIG.2, showing internal details of the tamper.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 7, showingthe means for positioning the pivotable boom and the means for swingingthe tamper relative to'the vehicle.

FIG. 13 is a view, partially cut away, taken along the line 1313 of FIG.12, showing details of an arrangement which allows the tamper shoe tofloat in a ditch during operation.

I FIG. I4 is a view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 12 showing thereleasable pin connection positioning the pivotable boom relative to thevehicle main frame.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view illustrating the drive train of the vehicle.

FIG. 16 is an end view taken along the line l616 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the vehicle drive train and main frame. 7

FIGS. 18-21 are top plan views of the device showing the tamper, thefiller, and the pivotable boom in various operating positions.

FIG. 22 is a schematic flow diagram of the hydraulic system for poweringand controlling the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of theinvention, and the operation thereof, will be described below withreference to the several views of the drawings. It will be apparent thata great many variations and modifications could be made to the structuredepicted in the drawings without departing from the concept of theinvention,

' and the following detailed description is merely exemplary thereof.

' 20 FIGS. 1, 2, 18, 19, 20 and 21 illustrate the overall de- 44. Thus,as indicated by arrows in FIG. 3, the entire drag conveyor unit 34 isvertically adjustable by operation of cylinder 51, and the angle of dragconveyor 34 is adjustable about a pivot point 38 by operation ofcylinder 53.

In addition to the small angular adjustment provided by cylinder 53 andlinkage 54, the entire drag conveyor unit can be reversed from theposition shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6. This isaccomplished by removing pin 59 from circular plate 55 and manuallyrotating the drag conveyor, including circular plate 55, sleeve 56, andsupport bar 57, 180 about pivot point 58 and then replacing pin 59 in anappropriate hole in plate 55. Since motor 46 is reversible, conveyorbelt 42 and associated blades 45 can be caused to move in eitherdirection so that the unit can fill a trench 60 (FIGS. 5 and 6) fromeither side thereof. This capability, along with the relativepositioning of the main vehicle, the drag conveyorand the tamper to bedescribed later, gives the overall device great versatility andflexibility of operation as regards terrain and/or obstacles.

Drive Train The drive train of the main vehicle section 31 is shown indetail in FIGS. 2, 15 and 16. This drive train will only be brieflydescribed as it is not unlike trains used in other implement-carryingtractors. The engine vehicle section 31 and the drag conveyor 34supports the forward end of the boom 35. A pair of drive wheels 37 and38 on the main vehicle section 31 are driven by engine 39 through adrive train to be described in detail below. A seat 40 is provided at anoperator position on the main vehicle section, and a steering wheel 41controls steerable wheel 36 through appropriate steering linkage.Various operator controls are provided at the operators position.

Trench Filling Device The trench filling device (drag conveyor 34) isshown in detail in FIGS. 26, and is comprised of an endless belt orchain 42 extending around a drive sprocket 43 and an idler sprocket 44(FIG. 3). The belt 42 has a plurality of blades 45 spaced about itsextent, as seen in any of FIGS. 4-6. The drag conveyor 34 is powered bya reversible hydraulic motor 46 (FIG. 5) acting through a chain andsprocket assembly 47 and shaft 48 (FIG. 4) to provide rotation to drivesprocket 43.

The drag conveyor is supported from the forward end of pivotable boom35, as best seen in FIGS. 2-4. A column 49 (FIG. 3) extends through asleeve 50 comprising the forward end of pivotable boom 35, and isvertically adjustable relative hereto by means of hydraulic cylinder 51affixed at its base to sleeve 50 and at its piston to 49, all as clearlyshown in FIG. 3.

A post 52 extends downwardly at an angle from the top of column 49. Thedrag conveyor 34 can be adjusted through a small angle relative tocolumn 49 by extension or retraction of hydraulic cylinder 53 fixed atone end to post 52 and connected through linkage 54 (FIG. 3) to acircular plate 55 which is rigidly affixed to sleeve 56 (FIGS. 46) whichin turn is connected to bar 57 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which supports idlersprocket 39 can selectively drive shaft 61 extending into transaxle 62directly by belts 63 or'indirectly through a hydraulic pump (not shown)powering reversible motor '64 connected to drive gear 65 engageable withdriven gear 66. When the belts 63 are driving shaft 61, as

shown in FIG. 16, the drive gear 65 is disengaged from driven gear 66 asseen in FIG. 15. When gears 65 and 66 are engaged, idler wheel 67 ismoved out of contact with belts 63 and the belts 63 then sliplooselywithin their sheaves. Generally, the motor 64 and gears 65 and 66 areused to creep the device along a trench being filled and packed, and thebelt drive is used for faster over-the-road or relocation travel.

Pivotable Boom 70, the main vehicle section is pivoted relative to theboom by moving one main wheel slightly while braking l the other mainwheel. When the boom is at the desired angle relative to the mainvehicle section, the pin release line is released and the spring 72forces pin 68 into mating holes in bars 69 and 70. Alternately, the boom35 could be pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder.

Tamper Support Means The tamper support means extending from the mainvehicle section 31 and carrying the tamper unit 32 is' shown in FIGS. 2and 7-10. A pair of arms 73 and 74 are located one above the other andextend from main vehicle section 31 to tamping unit 32, being fastenedby pin connections at both ends, and being positioned one above theother. The arms 73 and 74 are connected to the main vehicle sectionthrough a post 75 which is pinned at its lower end (FIG. 9) and capableof tilting the tamper unit sideways in response to actuation ofhydraulic cylinder 76 acting on bar 77 whichis slidable within sleeve 78forming a part of the supporting frame. As indicated in FIG. 10, theside tilt capability provided by the above structure enables the tamperto be used on a ditch that is cut at an angle relative to the groundsurface. A hydraulic cylinder 79 extending from post 75 to lower arm 74provides primary vertical adjustment for the tamper.

A turning rod 80' (FIGS. 7 and 8') is adjustably mounted on post 75 andextends through short rod 81 to a sleeve 82 carried by tamper supportpost 83. A pair of arms 84, 85 are welded to sleeve 28 and looselyembrace tamper housing 86. As will be explained below, housing 86' isfreely movable vertically relative to arms 84 and 85. As clearly shownin FIG. 8, movement of turning rod 80 rotates sleeve '82 and-arms 84 and85 such that tamper housing 86 moves in an arc relative to post 83 forreasons to be explained more fully below.

The Tamping Unit The tamping unit 32 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7and 11. Arms 73 and 74 attached to sleeve 82 have been previouslymentioned, as has tamper support post 83. The tamper support post 83extends at its lower end into lower sleeve 87 which is rigidly attachedto the lower end of tamper housing 86. The upper end of housing 86 isattached to support post 83 by a clamp 88, which is verticallyadjustable with respect to post 83. A motor 89 is mounted to the top ofhousing 86, and actuates a reciprocating plunger 90 (FIG. 11) is a knownmanner. Plunger 90 extends into the top of housing 86, and includesupper and lower collars 91 and 92. A shaft 93 extends most of the lengthof housing 86, and extends below its lower end to a bearing connectionto tamping shoe 94. The upper end of shaft 93 comprises a cylinder 95having a plate 96 as its bottom and a bushing 97 having a centralopening through which plunger 90 extends. Upper and lower springs 98 and99 provide a resilient connection between bushing 97 and plunger 90 suchthat both the up and the down strokes of plunger 90 are transmitted toshaft 93 by a resilient contact. Guide bushings 100 and 101 are attachedto inner sleeves 102 which is attached to housing 86 by bolts 103. Adirt shield 104 is attached to shaft 93 near the lower end of housing86. Tamping shoe 94 is pivotally supported at its forward end by pin 105(FIG. 7) which is held relative to housing 86 by brace 106. Actuation ofplunger 90 causes shoe 94 to oscillate through a small arc about pin 105as seen in FlG.'7.

Lateral positioning of tamper 32 relative to main vehicle section 31 isprovided by hydraulic cylinder 107 (FIGS. 2, l2 and 13); and springs 108and 109 in sleeve 110 provide shock absorbing capability between tamper32 and main vehicle section 31 during operation of the tamper.

As previously mentioned, acutation of turning rod 80 enables tampingshoe 94 to rotate horizontally relative to support post 83 to allowalignment of tamping shoe 94 at various relative positions of mainvehicle section 31 and tamper 32.

The control system for the device is schematically shown in FIG. 22. Themotor 39 powers hydraulic pump 111 through conventional valving, pipingand controls to supply hydraulic power as needed to oper- 6 ate thehydraulic motors and cylinders as represented in FIG. 22. "I 8 Operationof the Device The operation of the preferred embodiment described aboveiwill now be briefly referredto, although the operation is generallyapparent from the above description. i

The device is transported and/or driven to the vicinity. of the trench60 to be filled. The drag conveyor 34 is positioned on either side oftrench 60 by virtue of the flip-over" feature shown in FIGS. 3-6. A pileof earth 112 (FIGS; l8-21).is then moved into a;trench 60 by operationof drag conveyor 34. The vehicle is moved along the trench by the drivetrain'shown in FIG. 15,

and when sufficie'nt'fill has been moved into the trench the tamper isstarted. It is clear from FIGS. 18-21 that the main vehicle section 31can operate either beside the trench or straddling it.

As a result of the many positions available for the tamper and theconveyor relative to the main vehicle section, the device can fill andtamp from a multitude of positions and in many situations where priorart devices would be unusable.

The main vehicle section is not subjected to jarring to the extent priorart devices are due to the resilient connection between plunger andshaft 93, and the connection illustrated in FIG. 13.

The operator can tip the conveyor 34 by manipulation of the tip controlvalve depicted in FIG. 22. The conveyor can be raised or lowered by asimilarly positioned valve. Also, the tamper can be moved up and down aswell as in and out by appropriate manipulation of control valves.Likewise, the tamper can be tilted relative to the main vehicle byoperation of the appropriate control valve.

In instances where the trench to be filled is relatively deep, such thatcylinder 79 acting on arm 74 cannot lower tamping shoe 94 sufficiently,clamp 88 can be loosened, and the entire tamping unit can be loweredrelative to support post 83 (and arms 73 and 74) to enable tamping shoe94 to tamp the dirt at the bottom of the deep trench.

The above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention isexemplary, rather than limiting. It is apparent that many details andelements thereof could be modified, or equivalent means substitutedtherefor, without departing from the true scope of the invention, whichis to be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for filling and tamping a trench comprising: 4

a vehicle having a pivotable boom with a steerable wheel at its forwardend, said pivotable boom being connected to said vehicle at asubstantially vertical pivot point;

arm means pivotally connected to said vehicle at one end thereof about avertical pivotal point;

a reciprocating tamping unit supported from the other end of the armmeans; and

a drag conveyor means pivotally mounted to said pivotable boom along asubstantially vertical axis, whereby said tamping unit and said conveyor.means are independently adjustable laterally with respect to saidvehicle.

- 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the steerable wheel supportsthe entire front portion of the device.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the drag conveyor is pivotallymounted about a substantially horizontal axis and has a means forpermitting substantially 180 rotation about said substantiallyhorizontal axis to and from a position substantially on one side of saidboom and a position substantially on the other side of said pivotableboom.

4. A device according to claim 3 having means for tilting the dragconveyor about said substantially horizontal axis.

5. A device according to claim 4 having means for vertically adjustingthe position of said drag conveyor.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein said drag conveyor comprisestwo rotatably mounted members having a continuous flexible drive beltextending around said rotatably mounted members; and earth moving bladesattached to said flexibledrive belt.

7. A device. for filling a trench comprising;

support means; I a first member rotatably mounted to said support means;i a second member rotatably mounted to said support means; a continuousflexible drive belt surrounding said first and second members; i I earthmoving blades connected .to said drive belt; means for moving said drivebelt; and means for allowing said filling device to be pivotedsubstantially about an axis of oneof said first and second rotatablemembers. I 8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said means formoving said drive belt is reversible to thereby drive the belt eitherclockwise or counterclockwise.

1. A device for filling and tamping a trench comprising: a vehiclehaving a pivotable boom with a steerabLe wheel at its forward end, saidpivotable boom being connected to said vehicle at a substantiallyvertical pivot point; arm means pivotally connected to said vehicle atone end thereof about a vertical pivotal point; a reciprocating tampingunit supported from the other end of the arm means; and a drag conveyormeans pivotally mounted to said pivotable boom along a substantiallyvertical axis, whereby said tamping unit and said conveyor means areindependently adjustable laterally with respect to said vehicle.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the steerable wheel supports theentire front portion of the device.
 3. A device according to claim 1wherein the drag conveyor is pivotally mounted about a substantiallyhorizontal axis and has a means for permitting substantially 180*rotation about said substantially horizontal axis to and from a positionsubstantially on one side of said boom and a position substantially onthe other side of said pivotable boom.
 4. A device according to claim 3having means for tilting the drag conveyor about said substantiallyhorizontal axis.
 5. A device according to claim 4 having means forvertically adjusting the position of said drag conveyor.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said drag conveyor comprises two rotatablymounted members having a continuous flexible drive belt extending aroundsaid rotatably mounted members; and earth moving blades attached to saidflexible drive belt.
 7. A device for filling a trench comprising:support means; a first member rotatably mounted to said support means; asecond member rotatably mounted to said support means; a continuousflexible drive belt surrounding said first and second members; earthmoving blades connected to said drive belt; means for moving said drivebelt; and means for allowing said filling device to be pivotedsubstantially 180* about an axis of one of said first and secondrotatable members.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said meansfor moving said drive belt is reversible to thereby drive the belteither clockwise or counterclockwise.